BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Monday, November 26, 2001

 

Commission Vice-Chairman Randy Doll called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order. Present were Commissioner Will Carpenter; County Administrator, Jay Newton; and Commission Secretary, Marcy Zwall. Commission Chairman, Bill Shriver was absent from this meeting.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Carpenter wished to review the tape of the Commission meeting on November 13, 2001 in order to verify discussion regarding the 2002 Holiday Schedule.

Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve the Butler County Commission Meeting minutes of Tuesday, November 13, 2001.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

Commissioner Doll moved to approve vouchers totaling $672,612.51, dated November 26, 2001.  Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve a voucher to Automotive Specialists for a vehicle for the Building & Grounds Department in the amount of $4,990.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

WORLD AIDS DAY PROCLAMATION

Janet Frey, of SBA Memorial Hospital, and Jamie Downs & Sue Harsh, both of the Butler County Health Department, presented a proclamation for approval to designate 12/1/01 as World AIDS Day.  They added that a ceremony, similar to Wichita’s would be held, with a candlelight walk from the Courthouse to the hospital.  Refreshments would follow.

Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve the proclamation designating December 1, 2001, as World AIDS Day; and allow the Commission to sign.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

BUTLER COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING RESOLUTIONS/BY-LAWS

Connie Rausch, Director of the Department on Aging, presented and reviewed her proposal for a new Council on Aging.  She noted that the terms of 5 members of the Council on Aging will expire 12/31/01, & one position remains unfilled.  Therefore, she felt it necessary to reformat the Council.  Ms. Rausch proposed dissolving the current Council & forming an Association of Senior Centers to appoint the remaining members to.  This association would elect one member to set on the Council on Aging.  Further, the Commissioners appoint 2 persons each from their respective districts for the Council on Aging.  Ms. Rausch felt this would help eliminate any conflict of interest, especially when approving budgets.  Commissioner Carpenter suggested informing the current Council members about this proposal and allows them to comment or make suggestions.   Mr. Newton recommended that Ms. Rausch draw a Resolution for the Commissioners to review.

Commissioner Carpenter moved to receive the report from Connie Rausch for restructuring the Butler County Council on Aging; and authorize her to prepare a Resolution to restructure the Council on Aging.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

SCKEDD GRANT APPLICATION

Larry Powell, BCED Director; Brandi Ahlman, SCKEDD, Inc.; and Thomas Etheredge, Prairie Rose Chuckwagon (PRC); presented & reviewed the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) Economic Development Grant application on behalf of PRC.  Mr. Powell commented that SCKEDD felt PRC fit the applicant requirements.  Further, he informed the board that, if awarded, PRC would be granted 50% of the amount & loaned 50% at a low interest rate.  He added that the amount applied for would be the difference between what was awarded by the Tourism Grant and the total cost for the road.  Mr. Etheredge informed the Board that he is looking at the chip & seal procedure and using that estimated amount to apply for these grants.  Ms. Ahlman explained to the Board that they needed to decide whether the road would be a Township or County road, prior to application.  The Commissioners felt Darryl Lutz, County Engineer, needed to investigate this issue with the Township.  Mr. Etheredge inquired if it would be acceptable by the Board to bypass the interim use of the chemical application on the road, since the weather would be getting colder soon, and the road would need to be graded anyway.  The Commissioners agreed to this.

Commissioner Carpenter moved to allow SCKEDD to proceed with the grant application for Prairie Rose Chuckwagon.  Further, he moved to authorize Darryl Lutz to look into an agreement with the Township.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motions.  Motions carried 2-0.

 

SCKEDD RESOLUTION

Brandi Ahlman, SCKEDD, Inc., & Larry Powell, BCED Director, presented & reviewed a proposed Resolution establishing the 2001 C2001 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for SCKEDD.  Mr. Powell added that this was put together with input from all 14 counties in membership. 

 

Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve Resolution 01-47 for the 2001 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for SCKEDD; and allow the Vice-Chairman to sign.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON COMMITTEE REPORT

The Christmas Luncheon Committee, consisting of Abbe Carson, Pam Dunham, Kelly McLaughlin, and Michelle McCoy presented their proposed plans for the Butler County employee Christmas Luncheon, to be held December 21, 2001.   Kathy’s Kitchen will provide the meal, with the committee providing place settings and Department Heads and Commissioners serving.  This will result in a reduced cost for the caterer.   The Committee suggested not having as many ornaments to give away, due to the high number leftover from last year.  Commissioner Doll suggested no ornaments and use that money for cash drawings.  Commissioner Carpenter agreed recommending 6 drawings of $50 cash, but attendance is necessary to participate.  Further, Administrator Newton indicated that $10 bills, instead of gift certificates, to be given to those present at the luncheon, might also encourage attendance.  Commissioner Carpenter also requested one Christmas tree instead of two.  The Committee asked if an organization could be sought to donate the tree to after the party.   The Commissioners supported the idea, adding that the leftover food should also be donated.  The Board also suggested having background Christmas music available.  The Committee commented that last year Bryan Crank set up, tore down & cleaned for this event for $150, and has offered his services again.  However, the Committee requested the voucher be sent through ahead of time, so payment would not be delayed like before.  Mr. Newton determined the voucher would be presented in time for the check to be available upon services rendered.  All present agreed that a preliminary invitation would be drawn for the Commission to review, then distributed to all County employees.

 

 

OTHER ITEMS

·                    Veteran Memorial:  Representative Bill Mason inquired whether the Board has seen the proposed site.  Since the opportunity had not been available, the Commissioners offered to view it at this time. 

Commissioner Carpenter moved to recess the meeting at 10:10 a.m. and reconvene at the proposed memorial site at the northeast corner of the Courthouse grounds.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

The Board reconvened at the proposed site at 10:15. 

Representative Mason looked over the site, which was staked out, with the Commissioners.  The Board felt the site was appropriate, but thought an 8’ berm wall might be too high.  Further, they suggested angling the structure to face northeast.  Rep. Mason indicated that the Celebration of Freedom Committee did not favor the berm wall at all, so more discussions are necessary for that issue.  He added that if the wall were eliminated, the width of the site would be shorter.   Administrator Newton suggested contacting Dan Rowe, the architect, tomorrow to get the process started.   Rep. Mason informed the Commissioners that any decision they or the architect made would be subject to approval by the Historical Society, since the Courthouse is a registered historical building.  Commissioner Doll asked if the new court’s building site had been suggested.  Rep. Mason replied that there is not enough visibility there. 

Commissioner Carpenter moved to allow Representative Bill Mason to proceed with the Celebration of Freedom Veterans’ Memorial.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

The Board recessed at 10:25a.m., in order to return to the Commission Room.

Commissioner Carpenter moved to come back in to the regular session at 10:30a.m.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

·                    Building by the Bus Barn:  Louis Hughey, Buildings & Grounds Director, sent a letter to the Commissioners requesting permission to obtain occupancy of the building northeast of the bus barn.  He wishes to use said building for storage of supplies & equipment for his department. 

Commissioner Carpenter moved to authorize Louis Hughey to proceed with the necessary steps to take the building northeast of the Bus Barn back for the County’s use, for janitorial & supply storage.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Carpenter moved, having no further business before the board, to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.